South Shore Sportsman — Local services in Town of Hempstead

Finally after the long, arduous process of applying for a premises license in NYC, I was finally ready to shop for my first pistol. My mother, who is retired and also granted her premises license, was along for the ride and shopping for her first pistol. Throughout the journey to become gun owners, we’ve actually had a few positive experiences with people along the way. I would say our experience at South Shore Sportsman has been the most positive experience so far.

From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed and treated with respect as both people and complete newbies to gun owner culture. After seeing our permits, the staff seemed enthusiastic to let us try pistols, to which we perhaps responded a little apprehensively having never fired a gun before. The salesman sensed that and immediately began showing us the proper grip and form for holding a pistol which put us at ease rather quickly and made it really simple to gauge which pistols might be the best fit. They spent time with us showing us the features of each pistol and even gave us time to talk amongst ourselves, while they checked in with other customers as things got busy… but they never forgot about us. The owner saw that my mother was having trouble racking a slide (due to a touch of arthritis in her left hand and stepped in and gave her a tip on a better way to do it and by the end of our visit she was racking one of the hardest slides in the store. It’s true what the owner said to me, that it shouldn’t matter who is helping us because the experience should be the same across all the salesman and they all represent the store.

The selection of seemed to go on forever. I did my research before my visit and they had every pistol I wanted to try. The owner was very knowledgeable and transparent about pricing too. He had no problem listing prices off the tags for every pistol I requested and the prices were the same or less (by about 30 dollars on many) than other stores. – The prices weren’t off the top of someone’s head or screamed from the back by some mystery voice, like another store I went to. We walked in as complete novices and walked out more comfortable with guns and my mom was racking slides and dropping mags with ease. It was explained to us that when we buy a gun, the staff shows us how to handle/care/ and later, shoot it at a range. This was a contrast compared to some of the other gun stores we visited. One other store, I felt tried to pressure me to buying a pistol I didn’t like the feel of because it was in the case and the one I pondering wasn’t in the store (so it immediately became “too complicated” for me) and they wanted to charge $150 for the handle, care, shoot lessons.

The biggest difference about the South Shore Sportsman is that we felt like we were leaving with more than just our purchase. They’re real people that treat you like a real person. They’re not just trying to blow smoke up your rear, make their sale and then push you out the door once they have your money ….or nickel and dime you on every item or service. We spent almost 90 minutes in South Shore Sportsman (right before closing time) and never felt rushed, pressured, or looked down upon for being novices or for asking them to repeat themselves a few times (We’re both hearing impaired). The respect we showed them was returned many times over through their patience, care and teaching. We’re definitely going to be returning customers. It’s a 45 minute drive from Queens, but...

I have been a customer of South Shore Sportsman for about 8 years now. I have spent over $6,000.00 in there over that time (don't tell the girlfriend). This included pistols, rifles, and gunsmith work. The salesmen I use are Stan and Nick for pistols, and Anthony for rifles. I used to shop at Hunter Sports and Coliseum Guns, but their prices were consistently slightly higher than South Shore Sportsman for the same product, and frankly, I got an attitude most of the time I shopped in either one. I have always been treated with respect while in South Shore, and although they are a busy store, they have always given me as much time as I needed when it was "my turn".

I was in there last week to pick up a gun transfer from gunbroker in addition to a new purchase from South Shore. The process was quick and easy as the gun check they do there is computerized, so you don't have to handwrite the form like in other stores.

There are one or two reviews on here about salesmen there being "quick" or even "rude" during a phone call. If you have tried to go to a gun store over the past year, you have to realize how much volume of business this SAFE Act created, and most gun stores couldn't handle the volume. There was one time where I was also rushed off the phone, but I was called back a few minutes later from Mike, the owner, who apologized for being so busy, and handled everything I needed - Hey, these things happen, its not the end of the world.

I generally buy about two guns a year, and will continue to use South Shore Sportsman for my pistol and...

I know I've given these guys a review already but I wanted to add this new one. I've read where someone said these guys had an attitude and I need to defend them. Ive never seen it. Do they ask YOU a lot of questions...yes they do, because they want to fit the gun to whatever you want it to be used for....have they told me they wouldn't sell me a particular gun...yes, and for goid reason, it wasn't the best fit for my particular situation, now hear me out again. I went in thinking i wanted a certain gun, I knew they had it, I had seen it in there. I wound up being in there for almost an hour and a half as they took the time to explain why my choice wasn't a good fit for what i was looking for. They worked with me, letting me handle probably 15 different guns. All the while explaining the ins and outs of each gun. In the end they were right. I got a great gun, at a great price (less than the one I thought I wanted when I walked in) and great service. BTW, since I was there for an hour and a half I saw customers come and go and never once did anyone seem dissatisfied. I met Nick, who every dam millennial should be like, great ete contact, polite, helpful, hard working. Rocco, who can take and give jokes with the best of them and is knowledgeable and Stan....ahhh Stan, he tries to be the quiet uncle type but his only goal is to get you what you need. I like him cause of his sense of humor and Mike who even though he's the owner does not come off with a holier than thou attitude and has never once displayed anything but professionalism....